UK weather – Brits bask in 18C ‘mini-heatwave’ as forecasters reveal exact date warm spell will END

BRITS are set to enjoy an 18C mini-heatwave this weekend.

There will "barely be a cloud in the sky" as temperatures climb above average temperatures of 10C for March.

But rain and colder temperatures could return after Sunday, forecasters revealed, and another mini-heatwave is not expected for a while.

Met Office predictions say:  "Chance of rain, most likely in the east, from Sunday. Turning colder through Sunday."

The balmy spell seemed unlikely this morning, with the mercury as low as -6C in the Glens of Scotland.

A yellow weather warning for thick fog was also in place in parts of Wales and western England, sparking travel chaos for many.

But thankfully the mist has cleared, bringing clear skies and plenty of sunshine.

Temperatures will hit 13C in Edinburgh, 15C in Liverpool, and 16C in Cardiff later today - even topping 18C in London.

And the unseasonably fine weather will continue tomorrow and into Sunday.

Met Office meteorologist Claire Nasir said: "Through the day on Friday, lots of blue sky and plenty of sunshine.

"It could turn hazy towards the West of Scotland as we see more high cloud here and certainly quite a breeze across the Western Isles.

"Even so, everywhere remains dry through the afternoon, and that really will help keep temperatures up very nicely as we head through the middle part of the day.

"Temperatures coming in around 12C or 13C for Scotland and Northern Ireland, however we could see values peaking around 16C to 18C across mid-Wales down towards the south east of England - a bright end to the working week."

Saturday could be "quite breezy" in the east, but it will be warm in the afternoon with the mercury reaching highs of 16C in England and potentially 18C in Northern Scotland.

There will also "barely be a cloud in the sky for the vast majority," according to BBC Weather forecaster Matt Taylor.

BBC Weather has said conditions will get "a little bit warmer", approaching 20C in London by Wednesday.

And Netweather senior forecaster Jo Farrow said: "The ongoing theme for the next week is more settled, dry weather with a more southerly flow.

"That means temperatures will be higher, into the high teens and even low 20s on the cards."

The summery predictions have pushed bookies to slash the odds on temperatures hitting at least 20C in March.

Coral is now 1-2 on the milestone being met, with April being the hottest on record at 4-5.

The bookmaker's John Hill said: "It feels like spring has sprung early this year and it looks like we are set for a scorching April."